Bush freezer shows E3 and may not defrost properly, leading to ice build-up on the evaporator and poor cooling.

Safety first: Unplug the freezer before accessing internal components. Ice and water around electrical parts can be hazardous.

E3 generally indicates a defrost system fault in Bush freezers with automatic defrost.

• Check for heavy frost: Remove the internal rear panel and inspect the evaporator. A solid block of ice indicates the defrost system is not working.
• Inspect the defrost heater: The heater is usually a metal or glass-encased element fixed to the bottom or around the evaporator. Look for burn marks, breaks, or disconnections.
• Test heater continuity: Disconnect the heater leads and measure resistance with a multimeter. A typical heater will show some resistance (e.g. 50–300 Ω). OL (open) means the heater is blown and must be replaced.
• Check defrost thermostat / thermal fuse: Many Bush freezers use a clip-on thermostat or thermal fuse on the evaporator. Test for continuity at freezing temperature; an open device may prevent defrost.
• Replace faulty parts: Install a new defrost heater and/or defrost thermostat / thermal fuse as required, using Bush-compatible parts. Ensure all connections are secure and insulated.
• Manual defrost: Before reassembly, fully defrost the evaporator using warm air (hair dryer on low, kept at a safe distance) and towels. Do not chip ice with sharp tools.
• Reassemble and power on: Refit covers, plug in the freezer, and monitor for normal operation and absence of E3.

If the heater and thermostat test good, the fault may lie in the control PCB defrost circuit, which should be evaluated by a technician.